Alone on his 49th birthday, President Barack Obama fled the empty White House
mansion and headed for a more intimate celebration with old friends in his
Chicago hometown.

Mr Obama has been living a bachelor's life for the past several days with first lady Michelle Obama and daughter Sasha visiting Spain and daughter Malia spending the month away at an undisclosed summer camp.

Before leaving Washington with the family dog, Bo, Mr Obama got telephone calls from the women in his life.

Mrs Obama and Sasha phoned in their happy birthday wishes, followed by a lunchtime call from Malia.

"Needless to say ... both those calls were the highlights of his day," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters who travelled with Mr Obama aboard Air Force One.

Mr Obama's Secret Service detail got him a present, though Mr Gibbs would describe it only as "heartfelt."

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As the presidential motorcade pulled closer to his house in Hyde Park, neighbours lined the street to welcome him home with waves and signs, including "Happy 49th Birthday President Barack Obama" and "Happy Birthday Mr President."

Mr Obama continued his birthday celebration over a leisurely, two-hour dinner with friends at a restaurant in Chicago's River North neighbourhood. His dinner companions included longtime friends Eric Whitaker, Marty Nesbitt and Valerie Jarrett, also a senior White House adviser and fellow Chicagoan.

Mr Obama's birthday - though a year short of the milestone 50 - also was viewed in this election year as a prime fundraising opportunity for Democrats, who fear losing their hold on both houses of Congress come the November elections.